On Monday, Uganda President Yoweri Musevini signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which includes life imprisonment for repeat offenders and jail time for people who fail to report homosexuals to police. This the latest on the repercussions of the world’s most homophobic legislation.
In the nation's first live televised signing, President Yoweri Musevini signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. The Bill had been passed by lawmakers late last year but not yet signed in by the president.
Musevini had been going back and forth as to whether he would sign the Bill. Initially saying homosexuals were ‘sick’ and needed help not imprisonment, and saying he would seek advice from US Scientists before signing anything.
He claimed the new legislation, however, was implemented because of Western meddling in Africa’s affairs. Musevini said “We don't impose ourselves on Western culture. We are sick of homosexuals exhibiting themselves. All Africans are flabbergasted by this exhibition of sexual conduct.”
In an interview with CNN on the same day, Museveni was asked if he personally disliked homosexuals, to which he replied “they are disgusting. What sort of people are they?”
The news was immediately condemned by governments and activists worldwide. Norway, Denmark and The Netherlands became the first countries to either redirect aid away from the Ugandan Government or freeze aid on Tuesday.
Both Canada and the US also said they were reviewing their aid and assistance programs in the country. US Secretary of State John Kerry said the new Bill “threatens a dangerous slide backward in Uganda’s commitment to protecting the human rights of its people and a serious threat to the LGBT community in Uganda”
Tuesday also saw a Ugandan tabloid newspaper run a front page article outing “Uganda’s 200 Top Homos.” The Red Pepper tabloid published the names in a front-page story under the headline: ‘EXPOSED!’
The list included prominent Ugandan gay activists such as Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) Pepe Julian Onziema and Frank Mugisha, who have been instrumental in the fight against the country’s homophobia as well as a Catholic Priest and Ugandan hip-hop star. Activists have of course warned that this sort of action is likely to spark violence and a ‘hunt’ of prominent homosexuals.
The law also raised fears for the fight against HIV in the country, as gay people would be unable to be honest with doctors. However, Uganda’s health minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has said that gay people will still have access to healthcare and can expect confidentiality.
“All people whether they are sexual orientation as gays or otherwise are at complete liberty to get full treatment and to give full disclosure to their doctors and nurses” Rugunda told the BBC.
In the nation's first live televised signing, President Yoweri Musevini signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. The Bill had been passed by lawmakers late last year but not yet signed in by the president.
Musevini had been going back and forth as to whether he would sign the Bill. Initially saying homosexuals were ‘sick’ and needed help not imprisonment, and saying he would seek advice from US Scientists before signing anything.
He claimed the new legislation, however, was implemented because of Western meddling in Africa’s affairs. Musevini said “We don't impose ourselves on Western culture. We are sick of homosexuals exhibiting themselves. All Africans are flabbergasted by this exhibition of sexual conduct.”
In an interview with CNN on the same day, Museveni was asked if he personally disliked homosexuals, to which he replied “they are disgusting. What sort of people are they?”
The news was immediately condemned by governments and activists worldwide. Norway, Denmark and The Netherlands became the first countries to either redirect aid away from the Ugandan Government or freeze aid on Tuesday.
Both Canada and the US also said they were reviewing their aid and assistance programs in the country. US Secretary of State John Kerry said the new Bill “threatens a dangerous slide backward in Uganda’s commitment to protecting the human rights of its people and a serious threat to the LGBT community in Uganda”
Tuesday also saw a Ugandan tabloid newspaper run a front page article outing “Uganda’s 200 Top Homos.” The Red Pepper tabloid published the names in a front-page story under the headline: ‘EXPOSED!’
The list included prominent Ugandan gay activists such as Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) Pepe Julian Onziema and Frank Mugisha, who have been instrumental in the fight against the country’s homophobia as well as a Catholic Priest and Ugandan hip-hop star. Activists have of course warned that this sort of action is likely to spark violence and a ‘hunt’ of prominent homosexuals.
The law also raised fears for the fight against HIV in the country, as gay people would be unable to be honest with doctors. However, Uganda’s health minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has said that gay people will still have access to healthcare and can expect confidentiality.
“All people whether they are sexual orientation as gays or otherwise are at complete liberty to get full treatment and to give full disclosure to their doctors and nurses” Rugunda told the BBC.
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Reader's Comments
persecution originated from an ultra right Christian group
from the U.S. Midwest. Remember they are the ones who
say God or whoever you pray to loves you "as long as you
are like us and follow our way". What I find so mind blogging
is how they brain wash the major political leaders of an
African nation to think all Uganda's problems will be solved
by ridding/cleansing the nation of gay people. One day
Ugandans who voted for this law will have to answer for
there sins.
Even in the U.S. we have to deal with this element of hate.
Google "anti-gay legislation in Arizona".
Lets boycot all and any thing that is stamped AFRICA..
I feel sad and pity for Uganda people for having a homophobic maniac running their country. Maybe the president plans to transform Uganda as a ridiculously pure heterosexual and LGBT-free nation...
In the 1970s, Uganda and Zimbabwe expelled their Asians and many Chinese from there moved to e.g. Vancouver. And now Uganda and Zimbabwe again are the most homophobic on the continent. What the hell is wrong there? Who is next?
2. Gay/LGBT should not hate Uganda President and law makers because They just Victim of Hollybook Author or prophet descendant or Satan.
3. Hollybook Authors or satan make everybody forget that we are all created by God.
4. Uganda President and Law makers possible do not know how to make correct Law because they disturbed by Satan.
5. Many People got disturbed by Satan such as Religion Leaders, Preachers, Law Maker, President.
6. We all just Victim of Hollybook /Religion Authors or of prophets or of Satan
7. Such Satan make us to hate each other, They influenced to make many kind of Anti-Laws : Anti-Homosexual that just precedent, because their character making Anti-Law that will produce another Anti-Laws in future such as : Anti- Asian Law, Anti-Nordic Law, Anti- Arya Law, Anti-UN Law and so on.
8. The Uganda president and Law Makers are sick because of Hollybook Author or Satan. They may be need Therapy or Rehabilitation. So gay/LGBT should always give forgiveness to Them
9. Gay/LGBT also need to make certification body for FOOD or Drug.
It can be Gay/LGBT-Food And Drug Administration because Gay/LGBT should take Good Food and Drug Only. Gay/LGBT should not be allowed to consume/take Food or drug that have no G/LGBT- FDA label or certificate. And Any Food or Drug have no G/LGBT-FDA certification will be harmful to be taken.
10. such community make Riots, terrorism, Hate, complex problems at everywhere, not only in Uganda but many countries. They seem going to make coup d'etat of Human Law that based on God, they (had) are going change to be Law based on Hollybook or on Satan. It is very disgusting.
11. They exhibit very bad behavior conduct by hate, violent, terrorism. and kinds of. They threated scientist to created HIV to be spread to Gay/LGBT. They did this to make libel. it is very disgusting Human. What short of Human They are? They are very easy to be brain washed by Holybook/prophets descendant because they have no self esteem, They have no self awareness and awareness to other people. because they are in darkness.
They are very easy to receive bribe from prophet descendant/Hollybook Authors by Money, many women, Position, etc.
They are really very weak Men. They are Men but more Weak than Women.
12. So, gay /LGBT should be aware for their libel, They created HIV to attack gay/LGBT. Gay/LGBT should always watch their behaviors and their very bad heart/intention.
13. There are some gay/LGBT in Uganda need our Help. because All gay/LGBT in the Globe are our brothers-sisters.
14. I met a Girl years ago, found me disturbed by some Straight Men. Then The Girl Scold that straight Men by Saying : If you are Straight Men, Why you only have bravery to attack gay boy?
If you Really Straight/Heterosexual, you must have bravery to attack other Straight/Heterosexual. You are Really Worse than girly Boy and shameful.
15. Yes, we often see Men claimed as Heterosexual but their Job are for gay. They sit all days on desk waiting for phone call. They wear masculine dress, they act masculine but their spirit were so girly like the President of Uganda, so Girly, so Gay.
16 If They are Heterosexual they must have ability to Fight with Lion, or with others straight till die. because It is a Honor of a Straight Men to Die by showing that they are strong.
17. Heterosexual that attack gay/LGBT are dishonor and look like Girly. What short of President is this? This president did not do Responsibilities implementation for civil society that need protection.
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